The Ministry of Justice issued a series of regulations Monday to curb illegal operation by lawyers and law firms. The regulation, scheduled to take effect on May 1, lists 21 illegal activities.

"Lawyers not only represent the interests of their clients but also are a critical power in realizing justice," said Zhao Dacheng, director of the ministry's department of lawyers and notarization.

Professional associations will play a more important role in supervising lawyers and curbing illegal activity under the new regulation. The administration can entrust lawyers' associations to probe illegal operations.

Law firms will be deprived of business licenses if they bribe judges or prosecuting attorneys.

Another administrative regulation on charging of fees is also scheduled to take effect on May 1.

"Disorder is rife in this field," Zhao said, "there is no regulation on how law firms will charge fees, though there are rules on how much they should charge."

Lawyers are forbidden to collect private fees from clients and law firms should be supervised by the judiciary and pricing administrations, according to the regulation.

"Without sound rules, the law firms won't go further," said He Baojian of the Zhejiang Haitong United Law Office. "For all law-abiding lawyers, the new rules will be positive for their business."

He believes that rigorous supervision will help lawyers rebuild their image, which has been harmed by the actions of some lawyers.

"If the lawyers do a good job, the interests of all parties will be protected," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency 23, 2004)